The architect behind a proposed motorcycle road race to be held on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is confident the multi-million dollar project will go ahead.
Inside Line Events International lodged a proposal to the Sunshine Coast Council last month to host an Isle of Man TT style time trial event, initially tabled for December 14-17 next year.
The proposed Sunshine Coast TT would see top level road racers tackle a 47km course featuring more than 400 corners, utilising the picturesque roads around the town of Maleny.
The course is due to undergo a critical inspection and safety audit in the coming weeks, which will be conducted by Motorcycling Australia (MA) and the world motorcycling governing body, the FIM.
The report is the crucial next stage of the project and once completed the Sunshine Coast Council will begin to consider the proposal.
An agreement also needs to be reached with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads regarding the use of the roads and safety provisions.
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Project leader David Rollins hopes to receive a response from the Sunshine Coast Council by September.
The concept has been some 18 months in the making with the former motoring writer’s team initially working to host the event in New South Wales before switching their attention to the Sunshine Coast.
“The report, the inspection and safety audit will take several weeks to be written and then tabled,” Rollins told Speedcafe.com.
“These reports that need to come from MA and FIM are critical. We are working through that at the moment and to get everyone we need together for that.
“We are reasonably confident (of getting approval) as otherwise we wouldn’t be spending the money to get the report done.
“It is realistic (for the event to go ahead next year) as long as things don’t slide.
“If things do get delayed and we get semi approval to proceed to the next step in November, then that is not going to to give us enough time to run the sort of event we want to run.
“I think what we would do in that event would be to delay it for a year, which would give us nearly two years to organise it.
“I think the support for it (the event) is overwhelming and there is a good economic case for it.”
Alongside the pending circuit homologation and safety report, an estimated $4-8 million of funding is required to put on the event.
Rollins says his group has several sponsors and investors waiting in the wings if the Sunshine Coast TT receives the green light from the Sunshine Coast Council and Queensland Government.
Given the dangers of road racing events such as the Isle of Man TT, safety is a key area that has been addressed by the group.
Spectators will be housed in six designated protected viewing areas around the course.
A state-of-the-art track timing system used by the World Rally Championship will connect medical crews with race control in order to produce swift accident responses.
“Safety is of paramount concern for us. People won’t be allowed to sit by the road like they are in the Isle of Man,” he said.
“The course will be split into eight or nine safety sectors which will be manned by medical response vehicles. We figure the latest a downed rider will be attended to is three minutes.”
The event has been met by some opposition from residents but Rollins insists his organisation will work with the community if the event gains approval.
“We will work with everyone to try and overcome issues but ultimately at the end of the day the roads will be closed for a period of time. We will try to work with everyone we can,” he added.
“Ultimately we want to be invited back the next year and the year after that.
“In order to do that we have to make ourselves welcomed guests so it is important for us to be on good terms with the community.”
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